Summary of Releasing Zoo Base the Loggerhead Sea Turtle:
Zoo Base, a loggerhead sea turtle, is set to be released back into the ocean after 15 months at the Sea Turtle Healing Center. The turtle was found floating off Cocoa Beach and had to undergo surgery to remove fishing hooks from its esophagus. Despite some complications, Zoo Base is ready to return to its natural habitat. The release will occur at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach, and the public is invited to attend. The turtle was named in honor of the staff who received calls about stranded sea turtles.
Summary:
1. Zoo Base, a loggerhead sea turtle, will be released after 15 months at the Sea Turtle Healing Center.
2. Zoo Base was found floating and unable to dive with fishing lines and hooks in its esophagus.
3. The veterinary team at the Healing Center performed surgeries to remove the hooks and air trapped in the body cavity.
4. Zoo Base will be remembered for watching volunteers and other turtle patients through a pool window.
5. There are ways to help sea turtles and support the Sea Turtle Healing Center.
It’s time to bid farewell to Zoo Base, a remarkable loggerhead sea turtle that has spent the last 15 months at our Sea Turtle Healing Center. This majestic creature will be released back into the ocean on Wednesday, October 18, at 4 p.m. You’re invited to witness this awe-inspiring moment at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach. Arriving early to secure parking and beach spots for this remarkable event, rain or shine.
Zoo Base’s journey to recovery hasn’t been an easy one. In July 2022, this beautiful sea turtle was discovered floating off the coast of Cocoa Beach, displaying lethargy and an inability to dive. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that Zoo Base had fallen victim to fishing lines trailing out of its mouth. Our team at the Healing Center immediately conducted X-rays, revealing the shocking presence of two large fishing hooks lodged in its esophagus.
The hooks were deeply embedded, making removing them through the turtle’s mouth impossible. Our dedicated veterinary team had no choice but to perform surgery, ensuring the safe extraction of these menacing hooks. To our concern, the hook had also punctured through Zoo Base’s esophagus and bronchus, causing air to leak into the body cavity. This trapped air made Zoo Base buoyant and unable to dive properly.
Knowing that Zoo Base’s survival was at stake, our veterinary experts wasted no time addressing the potential ingestion of fishing lines. An emergency exploratory surgery was undertaken to remove any line from the gastrointestinal tract, but thankfully, none was discovered. Our Healing Center team’s tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to Zoo Base’s well-being have been nothing short of extraordinary.
Throughout its stay at the Healing Center, Zoo Base has captivated our hearts with its indomitable spirit. This loggerhead sea turtle, fondly named in honor of our hardworking front office staff, has inspired all who have interacted with it. Beachgoers seeking guidance on sea turtle stranding protocols have reached out, and Zoo Base’s progress has been a testament to our capabilities in sea turtle rehabilitation.
But Zoo Base’s impact doesn’t end there. While recovering, this incredible creature has become an observer, watching our dedicated volunteers and other turtle patients from the comfort of its pool. The symbiotic relationship between humans and wildlife is truly a remarkable phenomenon. Zoo Base has played a role in bridging that gap, reminding us of the interconnectedness of all living beings.
If you ever encounter a sea turtle in need, whether entangled in fishing lines or displaying signs of distress, it’s crucial to take action. You can visit our website or call the Sea Turtle Preservation Society at 321-206-0646 for immediate assistance. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of these majestic creatures and protect their fragile habitats.
Several options are available if you’re looking for ways to support the Sea Turtle Healing Center and contribute to our ongoing efforts. You can choose to support our zoo, which indirectly benefits the Healing Center, or browse through our Healing Center’s wishlist for specific items that can enhance our rehabilitation process. Every little effort counts and your contribution can go a long way in ensuring the well-being of sea turtles like Zoo Base.
As we prepare to bid Zoo Base farewell, let us celebrate its remarkable journey of recovery and survival. This loggerhead sea turtle is a powerful symbol of hope, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of nature. Join us on October 18 as we release Zoo Base back into its natural habitat, a poignant reminder of the beauty and fragility of our oceans and the irreplaceable wildlife that call it home. Let this release be a call to action, a testament to what we can achieve when we work together to protect and preserve our cherished natural world.
